rationalskepticism.org

Adco you're asking what is causing nationalism to rise the way it is. I pointed out that it's not Islam causing the problem, I didn't give a reason. Here's what I think. There are people who are increasingly gaining power in western countries, rightwingers who value their wealth, the power it brings, and their "elitist" culture. They don't want the masses to have political power, and if they keep them poor and desperate for work, then they, the wealthy, with stay in charge. They demonise the spread of globalism and people learning about other cultures, especially ones where the wealthy are not in charge. If they encourage their dependents to learn about the rest of the world, and to become educated beyond being able to do a job, they'll lose power, and thereby, wealth. So they push nationalism - us vs them. Us being the followers of the nationalism-inspiring oligarchs, and them being the "liberals" who want everyone to be well-educated, informed, educated, and covered by health care and other social benefits.

So where you see the rise of nationalism, you also see decreased standards, and levels of education, poverty, joblessness etc., all of this keeping the masses under control, voting for the people who promise them jobs, and the purity of their nation. They keep the "others" and especially the liberals out, and they keep control, and become even wealthier.